(Life Song)

Aevum Carmen: Chapter one, part one.

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Aevum Carmen: The Beginning…

June 12, 1949; Chicago Ill.

It was late, well past dark and the only illumination on the street was the street lights. The petite form of a young girl was the only one to be seen, the weather keeping most everyone inside that night.

It was cold, she thought as she stumbled down the empty street. The wind blew fiercely, easily penetrating her thin dress and coat. Lily Sanders shivered and pulled her coat more tightly across her body, tucking a lock of sandy brown hair behind her ear. As she hugged herself for warmth, she gazed down at her belly, where a small bulge was starting to become noticeable. Almost involuntarily, she placed a hand on the bump, fingers splayed and she blinked, eyes shining with a maelstrom of emotion. She smiled faintly, her hand stroking her belly slightly, before a particularly strong gust of wind sent her reeling and she fell backwards… then arms were around her and she heard a deep voice rumble, his accent sounding so pleasant to her.

"Easy there, lass." She looked up and into the kindest set of eyes she'd ever seen. An older gentleman, looking to be in his late 50's to early 60's smiled down at her as he set her back on her feet. "'Tis quite a windy night. Even I am havin' ta brace meself, let alone a wee lass like you. Are ya alright?"

"Y-yes. Th-thank you, s-sir." She said, her teeth chattering. He frowned and shook his head as he set her back on her feet.

"Lass, what were ye thinkin' comin' out in the cold dressed like you are? Here, child, take me coat." He unbuttoned his heavy overcoat and, while Lily protested, wrapped it around her thin shoulders. "Now, I won't hear a bit of nonsense from you, I have another jus' like it at home, and I am warm enough t' git home from here."

"But, sir, I can't just take your coat. I-I can't pay you for it!" She exclaimed, even as she drew the warm fabric around her thin shoulders, enjoying the warmth while she could.

"Now, did I ask for yer money? 'Tis not somethin' ya need pay me for, dear girl. T'was a gift." He studied her for a minute, and then said. "D'ya have a place t'go, lass? Ya look to be…a bit…" He paused trying to word it so she wasn't insulted. Lily smiled, appreciating the effort.

"I know." The man's kind eyes saddened, and she looked away. His eyes darted about for a minute then he brightened.

"I've got it. Come along now, the missus don't like people bein' late." He gently grasped her arm and tugged her along. She followed, bemused, and then asked.

"Where are you taking me?"

"To me home, lass. And if I know me wife, she'll have a grand supper waitin' on the table." He continued to pull her, even against her protests. "What's yer name, dear?"

"Lily. Lily Sanders."

"Ah, what a beautiful name." He exclaimed, looking at her with a smile and a coy wink. Lily couldn't help but to smile back. "I'm Angus, Angus O'Brian." He smiled at her again. A few minutes later, she was soon ushered inside a modest sized townhouse. He flung open the heavy wood door and Lily was immediately hit with the most wonderful smell she had ever experienced. And it was warm! So warm, and as she looked around, it was a cozy home; she could tell that someone had definitely put their heart and soul into making it a home, rather than just a house.

"Angus? Is that you, dear?"

"Aye, it's me, Edna. An' I brought some comp'ny!" Angus took the coat from her shoulders and hung it on a coat rack just as a woman bustled around a corner, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Well, now. Who is this ya've brought home?" Lily's first impression of Edna was that she reminded her of an older neighbor woman she had known when she was a little girl. By no means a small woman, Mrs. O'Brian had that motherly look about her, her light brown hair that was graying at the temples swept up into a loose bun. She wore a solid, navy blue dress, which matcher her own blue eyes beautifully. Her smile gave Lily a warm feeling and she felt some of the bone deep chill seep from her frame.

"This is Lily. I found this wee lass out on the street…" Angus started only to be cut off by Mrs. O'Brian's exclamation.

"In this weather! Goodness gracious child, what were you thinkin'? And not havin' a proper coat on." She 'tsked' twice. "Come, come," She hurried forward and wrapped her arm around Lily's shoulder, "I've'a kettle brewin' in the kitchen. I'll finish supper, while you have a cup'a tea." Lily just let herself be lead, enjoying the comfort while she could.

About ten minutes later, Lily was seated at the kitchen dining room. There was a hot mug of tea in her hands, and a smile on her face, the first true smile she could remember in the longest time. She closed her eyes as she listened to Mrs. O'Brian bustled around the kitchen, checking in the oven, stirring a pot on the stove and peeling potatoes in the sink. All the while, she kept up a steady stream of chatter.

"….and I told Mrs. McReedy that she ought not talk about people like tha', and I swear by me mother grave, that woman got in ta such a snit…Lily? Lily dear are you alright?" Lily opened her eyes and nearly jumped out of her skin. Mrs. O'Brian was about two inched from her face, peering through her small, thin wire framed spectacles.

"Oh! M-Mrs. O'Brian!" Lily struggled to her tea in her mug and her mug in her hand. "Fine, I'm fine… I was just…" She shrugged, her pale cheeks tinged red from embarrassment. "I was just listening." She finished quietly, head down staring at the floor. She didn't see Mrs. O'Brian smile softly, a little bit of sadness in her eyes as she nodded once in understanding. Lily lifted her head at the insistence of a finger hooked under her chin. Lily wasn't sure what she was expecting to see in Mrs. O'Brian's eyes, but the soft understanding in the older woman's face wasn't it.

"Ya poor dear. Ya look so tired. Come on, now. Supper's jus' about done. Let's get some good food into ya and then ya can rest a bit."

After supper, Lily helped Mrs. O'Brian clear the dishes and clean up in the kitchen. This time, however, there was silence in the kitchen, though not an unpleasant one. Lily quietly dries the dishes as they were handed to her, stacking them neatly onto the clean counter. As she placed the last plate into a stack, a picture on the wall caught her eye. She took a step closer, and recognized Mr. O'Brian and… Mr. O'Brian? Her brow furrowed… Twins?

"That's Angus's brother, dear." Lily turned slightly as Mrs. O'Brian came up behind her, a sad but affectionate look on her face.

"Mr. O'Brian has a twin?" Edna smiled sadly, true grief in her eyes and the sight made Lily's heart ache.

"Had, child. He died about five years ago. He saved Angus's life, but it cost 'im his own." Lily put her hand to her mouth.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. That was rude of me to ask…" Mrs. O'Brian cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"It's alright, Lily, dear. We've long since accepted what happened. Still, we miss 'im." Lily nodded, not quite sure she understood.

"What was his name?" She asked tentatively. Edna sighed, staring at the picture, almost lost in thought. Finally she answered softly.

"Jonathan. His name was Jonathan."

It was well aftfer midnight, and Lily somehow found herself in the large bed of the O'Brian's guest room. After supper, she had made to leave, but the O'Brian's wouldn't hear of it.

"Be reasonable, lass. It's too late and the weather tis gettin' worse. I'll not be havin' ya leave this house and catch yer death out there." Mr. O'Brian had argued, and his wife stood behind him, a kind but determined look on her face. It clearly said that she would not be letting Lily out that door if she had any say.

"Alright, I'll stay, but only for one night." Lily had said, but now she couldn't stop herself from thinking that maybe they'd let her stay. But, even as she dreamed of how wonderful it would be, to live here in the place that felt more like a home to her then the place she had grew up ever felt, she dismissed it right away. Why would they let you? You're nothing, not even worth the trouble, a voice inside her sneered. It sounded so much like her father. She felt tears come to her eyes, as the voice continued. You're a pathetic brat. What makes you think that anyone would want you? You are nothing but a loose whore that got herself pregnant. Lily sniffed and swiped at her eyes. Whore. The word was so dirty to her, but her father had tossed that in her face when she told him she was pregnant. He didn't believe her when she told him how it had happened. That the 'nice' Billy Thompson from down the road, the one that her father wanted her to marry… The one who had... Lily didn't even want to think about it, but the thoughts came unbidden to her mind. Tears flowing freely, Lily buried her face in her pillow, trying to stifle the sobs that forced their way past the lump in her throat and erupted from her lips.

Edna looked up from her knitting, straining her ears, listening to the sound of the house. Angus looked up from his book, eyes questioning.

"What is it, dear?"

"I thought I heard somthin'." She said, and then put a finger to her lips. She heard the noise again and her heart nearly broke. "Oh, the poor thing." She whispered, her own eyes tearing.

"Edna?"

"It's Lily, the dear, she's cryin'." Angus sighed, and placed his book down. He reached for his wife and pulled her against him.

"It'll be alright, my darlin'." He said, rubbing her back. "I knew from the moment I saw her on the street, we were meant to help the child, and the babe that she carries." He smiled when she looked up at him. "Don't worry dear. Lily will be stayin' with us for more than one night." His eyes twinkled as he hugged her tightly before he let her go. Edna immediately stood, pulling on a robe and left the room, Angus watching her go with a soft smile.

So wrapped up in her grief, Lily didn't notice the door open, nor the figure that came to sit lightly on the side of the bed. She started slightly, though, when a hand was placed gently on her shoulder. She looked up through teary eyes at Mrs. O'Brian, and attempted a smile, but her lip quivered and her chin trembled before a fresh bout of sobs tore from her mouth. Mrs. O'Brian sighed sadly and gathered the girl into her arms, rocking her gently back and forth, soothing away the tears. It took a while, but eventually the girl calmed and sat back, swiping at her eyes, her eye and cheeks red. She looked at Mrs. O'Brian miserably.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Oh, child. There's nothin' for ya to be sorry for."

"I'm being a nuisance," Lily looked up again and saw the robe Edna was wearing. "I woke you up, I'm already causing trouble! I'm sorry, I'll leave now, I don't wasn't to be any more trouble." Lily made to get up from the bed, but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder.

"You'll not be goin' anywhere, deary. And you are not causin' any trouble. We want you here, and…" Edna paused, staring the girl in the eyes, making sure she was paying attention. "We'd like you to stay." Lily blinked, hope swelling up in her, but she ruthlessly crushed it down.

"Why?" She asked, not believing that anyone would want her. Mrs. O'Brian smiled gently

"Because we want to, we need to. Lily, dear, even though we've only just met, Angus and I, we've both felt that you should stay." Edna looked at her earnestly, "Haven't ya felt it child?" She grasped Lily's hand and preset it to her chest, right over her heart. "Haven't ya felt it in yer heart?"

Lily could hardly think, so many emotions were flooding through her. But, through the storm, one feeling seemed to prevail and finally she smile tremulously up at Edna.

"Yes, I have. I've felt it." The smile that lit Mrs. O'Brain's face was brilliant. "And I'll stay." Lily let herself be drawn into a fierce embrace and for the first time in her life, she felt hope and love. "I'll stay."

End Part one of Chapter one.